Our theme this year is “Think Big” and I know we’re going to see that demonstrated in a number of ways throughout the Conference.

For example, these are the registration bags thanks to The Western Producer.

They’re big and will be great to carry around and collect stuff during sessions and the trade show.

This year NAMA turns 50 so it’s a pretty big celebration and where better to do that than at the annual convention?

This table is right outside of the registration area and where you get your bags of goodies that include some very important information such as who’s doing what at their booth in the trade show.

I’ll see if there’s a current total of how many are registered and post it as soon as I find out. The rumor mill says over 900. Let’s see how accurate they are.

Registration is open here at the Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show and people are wandering around and getting their bearings.

The golf tournament got off to a good start and the students are practicing their presentations.

When you come into the lobby to check in to your room just keep walking and you’ll find these ladies waiting to provide you with your materials.

The NAMA Executive Committee is meeting this morning so there is work going on as people start to arrive here in Dallas.

The skies are cloudy but hopefully this won’t affect our golf tournament this afternoon.

I’m wandering around the various meetings that are taking place and getting some pictures like this one. Besides the NAMA Executive Committee, other organizations use this opportunity to hold their meetings.

For example, the American Agricultural Editors Association is holding their board meeting right now.

Welcome to the 2007 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show in Dallas, TX.

Here’s the site of our convention this year, the Hyatt Regency.

Once again this year I’ll be your NAMA blogger and I’m looking forward to an active time with lots of pictures and interviews.

I’ve started my own online photo album which you’re invited to visit from time to time as I add to it over the coming days.

Although some activities take place tomorrow like the annual ABEF golf tournament, most of the action kicks into high gear starting on Wednesday.

There’s way too much activity going on here for just one lonely blogger to cover it all but I’ll do my best and post mainly each evening from the day’s activities.

So keep your eye right here as we Think Big in Dallas.

The Agri-Marketing Conference is a little over a week away! Register now at http://www.nama.org/amc/register.html and you will have a badge ready in Dallas!

We’re excited that the 2007 Agri-Marketing Conference is in Dallas, Texas. There could not be a more appropriate place than the “Big D” to Think Big and reenergize ourselves for future success and growth.

Join us in Dallas, April 11-13, for an informative, enlightening and invigorating conference that will help grow your career in agri-marketing!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of NAMA. Over the years, NAMA has continued to change as the discipline of marketing in agriculture has undergone constant and radical change. Today, NAMA represents 25 professional chapters in the U.S. with a strong relationship with the five Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA) chapters. NAMA also boasts of its 31 collegiate chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

So at this year’s conference please join us in raising a glass and making a toast to a great organization that provides the opportunity for us to rub shoulders with outstanding marketing professionals in agriculture!